There is also a wonderful donor cottage situated right behind the waterhole that is outside the fence. This waterhole is floodlit at night and is controlled by the Rudy Frankel cottage but it is the cottage next door called the Stanley that is utterly charming that I speak of. When one returns from your morning drive there is a plethora of reading matter written by Anne Stanley after whom the cottage is named. The books are called "Heaven on Earth" and make for the most fascinating reading. As for the "cottage" itself it is absolutely splendid with a dining room of baronial proportions and a wonderful atmosphere. We delighted in spending 4 days in this wonderful accommodation and barely needed to go out for a drive. At the floodlit waterhole at night we saw - leopard, lion, hyaena, elephant, buffalo, african wild cat, civet, genet (in our garden)and so many other animals. It sleeps at least 9 people that I remember and the bedrooms and bathrooms are totally old fashioned but charming nevertheless. Check it out next time any of you want to stay at Satara. We have also stayed at the Rudy Frankel cottage next door several times but it has not got nearly as much character as the Stanley.

At Rxxxx p/n it is quite expensive for two people but we treat ourselves once a year. The base rate is actually for 4 people, but we are selfish people… However, the Rxxxx is not that expensive if you consider what you get and if you compare it to accommodation cost outside the Park – an average B&B guesthouse in the Malelane area charge.

This description on the accommodation page actually doesn’t give credit to this amazing unit. I really think SANParks should start flaunting what they have.

Nshawu is built against the cliffs at Olifants. The ultimate in privacy because you don’t see or hear other people….your own piece of Kruger.

The unit has 4 bedrooms, each with its own en-suite bathroom. Each bedroom has a door leading out onto the veranda with it’s magical view. The unit also has a huge lounge and dining room area (also with the magical view of cause). There is a TV in the lounge for those who feel they should pay R1665 to watch the sport channels. This house is beautifully and tastefully decorated. Unfortunately we have never taken photos of the inside…the outside view always seems to draw our attention.

The big kitchen is well equipped to make it easy to entertain a big group – 2 fridge/ deepfreezers, under counter oven, prep bowl in kitchen and a separate washing-up area.Adjacent to the kitchen is a covered outside dinning area. This area also has a built-in gasbraai.

The veranda runs right around the house, giving you a 200˚ view over the Olifants River.

From the veranda there is a staircase that takes you down to the separate braai deck that is a level below the house.

And what a braai area it is! Very few places in the world that can offer you this IMHO!

The only negative about this house is that you have to book months in advance – very popular …for obvious reasons.

I made this a generic thread…would be nice if people who have stayed in the other guest houses in Kruger can give more info/photos on them.

The other house that is well worth going out on a limb for is the Stanley cottage in Satara - it is positively baronial and of course outside you have a spotlight that lights up your own private waterhole. We have seen lion, leopard, civet, african wild cat, buffalo and many antelope at this waterhole without leaving the comfort of our verandah. In the garden is a genet who is somewhat habituated so does not run away when you approach. Well worth a visit and make time to sit and read all the books of Anne Stanley's years of heaven on earth in KNP - they make for fascinating reading.

NO BAIL - JAIL AND NO TRADE IN RHINO HORN EVER![color=#FF0000]NO TO BUILDING OF HOTELS IN THE KRUGER NATIONAL PARK[/color24 Sept 2015 Hlane, 25-2 Burchells, 2-4 Elephant Plains, 4-7 Satara, 7-9 Pretoriouskop, 9-15 Ngwenya, 16 HluhluweThe addiction is fed once again

Jumbo wrote:This description on the accommodation page actually doesn’t give credit to this amazing unit. I really think SANParks should start flaunting what they have.

I have stayed in the Monis Guest house in Letaba once as it was the only thing available , I never regretted the cost .WOW what a hut , also 4(I think) rooms with en suite bathrooms , huge lounge and kitchen , and also your own private view out over the river .Not to mention you get you own exclusive hut attendant .

These "fancy" huts certainly do merit more of a mention in the info section .

The Rentmeister in Shingwedzi also looks stunning , although it is pretty close to the infamous "back gate" .

Having spend one night in the Pierre Joubert Guesthouse in Pretoriuskop, I have to say that I think it's one of the better accommodation types in any of the camps. Usually with a certain amount of people it can also cost you less or even the same price as a bungalow would cost you.

The peace, privacy and views you get are not comparable to any other in the camps.

As I've said. I had to privilege to stay in the Pierre Joubert Guesthouse in Pretoriuskop.

At a cost of also Rxxxxx per night and a base rate of 1 - 4 people it would cost you Rxxx per person per night. Compare that to other accommodation costs outside the park and you will see that it's quite affordable.

This unit is very private with a huge entertainment area. It's fence off from the rest of the camp.

The whole area is build in a half circle shape with a central area for a braai and leading onto the main communal house.

Each unit features a double bed, a small living room and Full bathroom with shower, bath and a feel that will make you think you have arrived in paradise. Not forgetting that we are lazy and that it becomes hot in the summer, they have provided each unit with an aircon in the room, and as a bonus, it can be operated with a remote control. The units all have sliding doors opening to the central area and come provided with towels, soap and bedding. Large

At these prices you get the ultimate in luxury, yet still have the freedom to enjoy your own company, braai your own meat and have a great night around the campfire with friends, looking around at the fence for the unsuspecting night visitors.

A definite if you are more than 2 people, or when you want to treat yourself like some people who claim to make the best prawns.

With our Feb 2005 visit we did it in “style”….took our own deck chairs and barely moved from that veranda for two days. Why in the world would you go and pay R4000 p/p at a private lodge if you can have this at R850 p/p (if you are 2 people)

We have also stayed in the Rudy Frankel which is next door and has the same view of the waterhole. The next time you are North of Satara camp have a look and you will see the floodlights and the water hole. We did just that - stayed in bed till 9 one morning took a leisurely drive and were back on the beds for an afternoon sleep and then stayed up all night - the game literally came to us!

NO BAIL - JAIL AND NO TRADE IN RHINO HORN EVER![color=#FF0000]NO TO BUILDING OF HOTELS IN THE KRUGER NATIONAL PARK[/color24 Sept 2015 Hlane, 25-2 Burchells, 2-4 Elephant Plains, 4-7 Satara, 7-9 Pretoriouskop, 9-15 Ngwenya, 16 HluhluweThe addiction is fed once again

My SO and I did exactly the same on our anniversary except we went to Rudy Frankel. It burnt down shortly after our stay and has been rebuilt I believe. I hope they rebuilt it the same way as before. Basically it was built in a circle with an open braai area in the middle, kind of Spanish villa/ranch style. All 4 bedrooms lead off from the center and have en suite bathroom. There was also a very large farm style kitchen and a rather big TV lounge/dinning room with a bar in it and then your patio with the water hole in front. You are also fenced in with quite a big garden and a nice patch of grass. The bird life was brills, with resident barn owl and every night, scops & pearl spotted and a host of other birds.

The nicest place I stayed at in Kruger was the Rentmeester Guest House at Shingwedzi. True its at the "infamous back gate" but it is secluded and luxurious. It also has its own hide right on the river, you can see it from the low water bridge if you look carefully. The Guesthouse has 4 bedrooms a big lounge and kitchen area and a really nicely situated braai area. Whilst braaing (the fires are lit before you come into camp in the evening by a personal attendant) you can eyeball the river bed. Really well appointed outside dining area and furniture too.

We have stayed in the Fish Eagle at Letaba many years ago - Some of the decor at the entrance was a little OTT. It had a huge pivot door that looked like something out of the Rocky Horror Picture Show with massive steel columns alongside it - not surprising as it belonged to Score Metals. We had the most fantastic personal attendant by the name of Augustine - all we did was hand over all the breakfast goodies and on our return the table was laid and the breakfast beautifully cooked. The same happened at dinner time. I do not think that these personal attendants are in existence any more! Certainly the last time we stayed at the Rudy Frankel and the Stanley they were not.

NO BAIL - JAIL AND NO TRADE IN RHINO HORN EVER![color=#FF0000]NO TO BUILDING OF HOTELS IN THE KRUGER NATIONAL PARK[/color24 Sept 2015 Hlane, 25-2 Burchells, 2-4 Elephant Plains, 4-7 Satara, 7-9 Pretoriouskop, 9-15 Ngwenya, 16 HluhluweThe addiction is fed once again